Coin-operated control mechanism for vending machines



May 14, 1968 A. W. CUNNINGHAM COIN-OPERATED CONTROL MECHANSIM FOR VENDING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16, 1967 INVENTOR. ARTHUR W. CUNWNGHAM M ##azwd ATTORNEYS y 1968 A. w. CUNNINGHAM 3,382,961

COIN-OPERATED CONTROL MEGHANSIM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed March 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 INVENTORI ARTHURW.CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEYS COIN-OPERATED CONTROL MECHANSIM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed March 16, 1967 y 968 w. CUNNINGHAM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR: ARTHURWCUNNINGHAM mm ,fl: Z fl ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fiice 3,382,961 Patented May 14, 1968 3,382,961 COIN-OPERATED CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Arthur W. Cunningham, Charlotte, N.C., assignor to Lance, Inc., Charlotte, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Mar. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 623,581 7 Claims. (Cl. 194-61) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coin-operated control mechanism for a vending machine suitable for two-nickel or single-dime operation and in which a predetermined coin-array inserted in the control mechanism is moved by a motion-amplifying member a sufficient arcuate distance to unlock and permit full activation of the goods-delivery mechanism of the machine and discharge of the coin-array from the control mechanism.

This invention relates to coin-operated control mechanisms for vending machines, and more particularly to an improved control mechanism of the general type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,783,917 and adapted by an interconnection therewith to normally prevent but to selectively permit full-stroke operation of a vending machines operating lever and associated components constituting its goods-delivery mechanism.

There are currently in existence large numbers of vending machines adapted for single-nickel operation and employing control mechanisms of the conventional type identified in Patent No. 2,783,917 by the numeral 136. To avoid obsolescence due to a five cent increase in the price of the goods vended thereby, adaptation of many of these machines for two-nickel or single-dime operation would be highly desirable. Such modification would entail, among other things, replacement of the aforesaid control mechanisms since these, although possessing many desirable features, are suitable for single-coin operation only. The replacement control mechanism should of course possess the requisite capability for operation in conjunction with either two nickels or one dime. It should, moreover, possess all of the desirable operating features, and the durability and reliability, of the conventional mechanism replaced thereby. And finally, the replacement mechanism achieving these ends should be of a size and general construction comparable to that of the original mechanism, so as to permit its incorporation into the vending machine and its connection with associated machine-components to be effected within the machines existing space-limitations and in a manner minimizing insofar as possible the necessity for modification of such associated machine-components.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved coin-operated control mechanism possessing the aforesaid capabilities and features, and which is therefore suitable for utilization in not only new 10-item vending machines but also in the modification of existing -item machines for two-nickel or single-dime operation.

A related and more specific object is the provision of an improved vending-machine control mechanism of the type adapted to be operatively connected to the machines goods-delivery components and to permit full-stroke operation of the latter, with ensuing delivery of goods, only at such times as the control mechanism contains a predetermined coin-array therein, and which is capable of performing the aforesaid function in conjunction with either a single-dime or two-nickel coin-array Within a F space and in association with delivery-mechanism components substantially the same as required for a control mechanism operable in conjunction with a single nickel only.

Another object is the provision of a coin-operated control mechanism, operable in association with different arrays of coins of varying denominations, which is less complex, bulky and expensive in construction and is more reliable and versatile in operation than other multiplecoin control mechanisms presently in use.

Still other objects and advantages will be in part evident and in part pointed out hereinafter, in the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially-exploded, perspective view of a coin-operated control mechanism embodying the invention, and of an interconnected portion of the goodsdelivery mechanism of a vending machine;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the assembled control mechanism of FIGURE 1, as it would appear in a vending machine after receipt of a single coin and prior to commencement of the vending operation;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section through the control mechanism of FIGURE 2 showing in front elevation, and partially in phantom lines, those components thereof disposed to the right of the arrow 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section through the control mechanism of FIGURE 2 showing in front elevation those components thereof disposed to the right of the arrow 4-4 of FIGURE 1, and showing in dashed lines the positions occupied by certain of such components at the completion of a vending operation;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation view of the control mechanism of FIGURE 1, but showing the components at the completion of a vending operation;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section through the control mechanism of FIGURE 2 showing in front elevation those components thereof disposed to the right of the arrow 6--6 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line and in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIGURE 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the control mechanism identified in its entirety in FIGURE 2 by the numeral 10 includes a generally rectangular frame 12 comprised, as is better shown in FIGURE 1, of front and rear frame plates 14, 16 respectively spaced forwardly and rearwardly of an intermediate plate 18 by irregularlyshaped coin guide members 20, 22 and 24, 26, with all of the foregoing components being secured together in parallel relationship to each other by screws 28 or other suitable fasteners. Extending vertically through the thusassernbled frame 12 are first and second coin passages 30, 32, passage 32 being defined by and between plates 16, 18 and guide members 24, 26, and the passage 30 being defined by and between plates 14, 18 and guide members 20, 22. Passages 30, 32 each open through the top, left side and bottom of frame 12, and these openings are adapted to respectively communicate with the coinscanner, coin-return and coin-box components (all not shown) of the vending machine in which mechanism 10 is installed. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, passage 30 is adapted to receive from the coin-scanner a single coin of predetermined denomination, illustratively a dime, which after passing through the top of frame 12 comes to rest upon its edge upon guide member 22. Passage 32 is adapted to receive a different coin-array, such as the two nickels shown in FIGURES 1 and 6, which after passing from the coin-scanner into the top of frame 12 come to rest in upright edge-to-edge relationship with each other and with guide member 26. As is more fully explained hereinafter, the coins are subsequently ejected from frame 12 through either the side or bottom openings thereof, such as to then pass to either the coin-return or coin-box component of the vending machine.

Extending through plates 14-, 16 and 18 are coextensive arcuate slots 34, 34" and 34', respectively, which in the assembled frame 12 register with each other so as to define a slot 34 extending through the frame from front to rear and communicating along a substantial portion of its length with the coin passages 30, 32 therein. The uppermost end of slot 34 terminates adjacent the upper-left corner of frame 12, while the opposite end thereof extends through the lower right side of the frame. Communicating with and extending upwardly from slot 34 intermediate its ends is a shorter arcute slot 36, which passes through front frame plate 14 and in the assembled frame 12 registers with cut-away portions of plates 16, 18.

Carried by front plate 14 or frame 12 and projecting perpendicularly outwardly therefrom are a plurality of spaced stub shafts 38, 4t), 42 and 44, the axes of shafts 40, 42 being appoximately coincident with the centers about which arcuate slots 34-, 36 respectively extend. Mounted upon shaft 46 for pivotal movement thereabout in a plane generally parallel to the front of frame 12 is an irregularly-shaped control plate 46 having a large opening 48 therein and a finger extending inwardly therefrom through slot 34 of frame 12 at a point adjacent its juncture with slot 36, and into passages 30, 32 of the frame. A flanged portion 51 of plate 46 projects slightly beyond the right side of frame 12, and is provided with bores adapted to receive the inwardly-bent upper end portion of a vertical rod member 52 associated with and forming a part of the goods-delivery mechanism of the vending machine within which mechanism is mounted. During a full stroke of the machines goods-delivery mechanism, such full stroke movement being necessary for the vending of goods, the upper end portion of rod 52 moves vertically upwardly and through its aforesaid interconnection therewith produces a commensurate counterclockwise pivotal movement of plate 46 about shaft 40, the full-stroke movements of rod 52 and plate 46 being apparent from a comparison of FIGURES 2 and 6.

Mounted upon stub shaft 44 is a spring-biased pawl member 54 adapted to engage during the aforesaid pivotal movement of plate 46 with a series of teeth 55 provided along the adjacent outer edge of the plate, and while in such engagement with the teeth to prohibit reversal of the direction of the plates counterclockwise pivotal movement. The mode of operation and purpose of anti-backup devices of this general type or well known to those skilled in the art.

Also generally of conventional construction and function is the locking dog 56 centrally mounted upon stub shaft 42 for pivotal movement thereabout in the plane of opening 48 of plate 46. A spring 58 biases dog 56 in a clockwise direction, such that its upper end portion normally is disposed against an arcuate inner edge of opening 48 and in thepath of travel, upon counterclockwise movement of plate 46, of circumferentially and radially spaced shoulders 60, 62 thereon. Carried by and extending inwardly from thelower end of dog 56 is a finger 64-, which passes through the front of frame 12 at the juncture of slots 34, 36 and into coin passages 30, 32 of the frame.

Mounted for pivotal movement about the remaining stub shaft 38, which is disposed on that side of shaft 40 distal from slot 34, is a generally L-shaped auxiliary control plate or arm 66. Plate 66 does not materially increase the overall size of mechanism 10, since it is no larger than plate 46 and extends in parallel and closely spaced, overlying relationship thereto. An elongate, generally radially-extending slot 68 of plate 66 loosely receives a stud 70 carried by and projecting outwardly from the front face of plate 46 adjacent the lower edge thereof, and a coin-pusher finger 72 formed integral with the free end portion of plate 66 extends inwardly therefrom through opening 48 of plate 46 and slot 34 of frame 12. Within frame 12, finger 72 projects through coin passages 30, 32 thereof and also through a slightly oversize opening 74 provided in the upper end portion of an elongate extension member 75 mounted for sliding movement between frame plates 14, 18. While member 75 is generally flat, its lower end 76 is provided with laterally-extending lugs which are slidably received within slots 34-, 34" of the plates and guide member 75 therealong during its movement.

Pivotal movement of plate 46 about shaft 46 produces, through stud 70 and slot 68, pivotal movement of plate 66 between its FIGURES 2 and 6 positions and about shaft 38. The location of shaft 38 relative to arcuate slot 34 is such that during the aforesaid pivotal movement of plate 66, its finger 72 travels fromi ts FIGURE 2 position generally longitudinally of slot 34 along an arc similar but not identical in curvature thereto, to its FIGURE 4 position, carrying before it during such travel the extension member 75 movable within coin passage 30 of frame 12.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the positions occupied by the components of mechanism 19, and by rod 52 of the goodsdelivery mechanism of the vending machine within which mechanism 10 is mounted, prior to the commencement of a vending operation but after the insertion of a dime D into the vending machine. The dime has been delivered by the machines coin-scanner to the entrance opening of passage 30 at the top of frame 12 and has descended by gravity through such passage to its illustrated on-edge rest position, in which it is supported by and upon guide member 22 and also by those portions of fingers 5t), 64 which extend through passage 30. Finger 72 and extension member 75 are disposed adjacent the upper end of slot 34 in spaced relationship to the dime.

Assuming attempted actuation of the vending machines goods-delivery mechanism, as by a persons manual operation of a lever or the like upon the outer face of the machine, there now occurs a preliminary upward movement of rod 52 and a corresponding preliminary pivotal movement, in a counterclockwise direction, of plate 46 about shaft 46. The extent of this preliminary pivotal movement of plate 46 is through the angular distance d (FIGURE 3) between shoulder 60 of the plate and the upper end of locking dog 56, and the movement of plate 66 occasioned thereby (through stud 70 and slot 63) is insufficient to bring extension member 75 of finger 72 thereof into engagement with finger 64 of dog 56. In the absence of a suitable coin array such as defined by the dime D within frame 12, rod 52 and the associated delivery-mechanism components would therefore be halted after their aforesaid preliminary movement only, prior to completion of the full stroke thereof necessary for the delivery of goods, by abutment of shoulder 60 of plate 46 with the upper end of dog 56. Such abutment does not occur, however, when dime D is within frame 12. During the preliminary movement of plate 46 through arc distance d, lower end portion 76 of extension member 75 engages dime D and urges it against finger 64 of locking dog 56, moving finger 64 toward the upper end of slot 36. This in turn pivots dog 56 in a counterclockwise direction, against the biasing force of spring 53, a sufiicient distance to shift the upper end of dog from thepath of travel of shoulder 60 of plate 46. With the locking means defined by dog 56 thus released, continued movement of rod 52 and plate 46, throughout the full strokes thereof and to their positions illustrated in FIGURE 5, is permitted. During such fullstroke movement, the goods-delivery mechanism of the machine effects a vending of the desired goods, and the continued travel of extension member 75 so displaces dime D from member 22 that the coin falls through the discharge opening of passage 30 at the bottom of frame 12, as shown in FIGURE 5, for collection in the coin-box component of the machine. Cessation of the full-stroke movement of plate 46 and rod 52 is then brought about by abutment of the upper end portion of dog 56 with shoulder 62 of plate 46 (see FIGURE 5), at which time stud 70 of plate 46 is disposed adjacent the upper end of plate 66 is slot 68.

Return of the components from their FIGURE 5 and to their FIGURE 2 positions is effected through rod 52 of the goods-delivery mechanism by suitable weight or spring-type biasing means (not shown) connected thereto. The downward movement of rod 52 effected by this biasing means produces clockwise rotation of plate 46, which in turn respectively produces and permits rotation in the same clockwise direction of plate 66 and locking dog 64.

If the vending machine should not contain the particular goods selected by a purchaser, suitable components (not shown) of the goods-delivery mechanism would arrest upward movement of rod 52 during the preliminary phase of such movement, and would return the rod rapidly downwardly. At the completion of this abrupt downward movement of rod 52, dime D would be struck sharply by finger 50 of plate 46 and propelled to the left over the uppermost point of guide member 22. The dime would then pass by gravity through passage 30s discharge opening at the left side of frame 12, and be returned to the prospective purchaser.

The operation of mechanism in association with two nickels is similar to that described above with respect to one dime, except that nickels are received within coin passage 32 rather than coin passage 30 (see FIGURES 1 and 6) and are engaged directly by finger 72 of plate 66 rather than by extension member 75, the latter being adapted to compensate for the shorter length of a single dime coin array and performing no function in association with a two-nickel array. As is more specifically shown in FIGURE 6, the first nickel N delivered by the coinscanner to coin passage 32, through the entrance opening thereof at the top of frame, descends by gravity and comes to rest upon guide member 26 with its edge supported by such guide member and by those portions of fingers 50, 64 which extend through passage 32. The second nickel N descends to a rest position upon member 26 between the high point of such member and the first nickel N, being there brought to a halt and supported by abutment of its edge with that of the first nickel N. During preliminary movement of plate 46 through arc distance d, nickel N is contacted by that portion of plate 66s finger 72 extending through passage 32, and the entire twonickel coin array is moved downwardly thereby a sufiicient distance for nickel N to engagingly pivot locking dog 56 out of the path of travel of plate 46's shoulder 60, thus permitting continued movement of plate 46 and rod 52 throughout the full strokes thereof. If passage 32 coni tained only the single nickel N, this result would not ensue since abutment of shoulder 60 with the upper end of dog 56 would occur prior to any displacement of the dog by the single coin, and the attempted vending operation would be brought to a halt.

The positions of finger 72 of plate 66 at the beginning and end of its stroke are shown in FIGURE 6 in solid and broken lines, respectively. The considerable length of the stroke of finger 72 contributes significantly to the satisfactory operation of mechanism 10 in association with two nickels, inasmuch as the spacing between finger 72 and finger 64 of locking dog 56 must at the outset of the operation be sufficiently great to permit ready reception of both nickels N and N between the fingers and must at the completion of the vending operation be sufiiciently small to insure that the second nickel N' has been completely displaced from its engagement with finger 64. Realization of a stroke of finger 72 of this desired magnitude is achieved in mechanism 10 by plate 66, the effect of which is to amplify the movement of plate 46, which may itself be of predetermined scope due to the plates direct interconnection with the goods-delivery mechanism of the vending machine, in transmitting such movement to finger 72. The aforesaid movement-amplification is apparent from a comparison of the relative positions of finger 72 of plate 66 and teeth upon an adjacent edge of plate 46, as seen at the outset of a vending operation in FIGURE 3 and at the completion of a full stroke in FIGURE 5. While finger 72 is at the outset of plate 46's movement disposed adjacent one end of the series of teeth 55 (FIGURE 3), it advances relative to the plate during movement thereof and finally occupies a position (FIG- URE 5) adjacent the centermost teeth '55. While the distance between finger 72 and the axis of plate 46 increases slightly during the fingers aforesaid movement to its FIG- URE 5 position, in which position the distance is at a maximum, the fingers actually-realized stroke exceeds that which would be obtained if finger 72 were mounted upon plate 46 at even this maximum distance from the plates axis.

Realization of finger 72s greater stroke through its advancement relative to plate 46 is deemed to contribute significantly to the compactness of mechanism 10 and to its capability for utilization in not only new l0-item vending machines but also in the modification of existing 5-itern machines for two-nickel or single-dime operation.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided an improved vending machine coin-control mechanism realizing the objects and possessing the benefits hereinbefore noted. Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that this was for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being in accordance with the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a vending-machine control mechanism adapted to permit full-stroke operation of the goods-delivery mechanism of the vending machine only at such times as the control mechanism contains a predetermined coin-array therein; said control mechanism having a pivotal member connected to and movable with the goods-delivery mechanism through an arcuate stroke commensurate in extent with the stroke of the goods-delivery mechanism; releasable locking means adapted to normally engage said pivotal member after preliminary movement and prior to full-stroke arcuate movement thereof and to thereby arrest full-stroke operation of the goods-delivery mechanism; and coin-engaging means movable contemporaneously with and generally in the direction of movement of said pivotal member for engagement with the predetermined coin-array when the same is contained Within the coin-mechanism, said coin-engaging means during preliminary movement of said pivotal member moving the coinarray into releasing engagement with said locking means and thereby releasing the same so as to permit continued movement of said pivotal member and of said goodsdelivery mechanism throughout the full strokes thereof, and said coinengaging means during terminal movement of said pivotal member moving the coin-array from the coin-mechanism; the improvement comprising: motionamplifying means interconnecting said coin-engaging means and said pivotal member for imparting said movement to said coin-engaging means in response to movement of said pivotal member and for simultaneously moving said coin-engaging member relative to said pivotal member; said motion-amplifying means moving said coinengaging means in response to movement of said pivotal member along an arcuate path of travel located a predetermined maximum distance from the pivotal axis of said pivotal member and greater in length than the arc generated during such movement of said pivotal member by a point located upon said pivotal member at said predetermined distance from the pivotal axis thereof.

2. A vending-machine control mechanism as in claim 1, and further including coin guide means defining first and second coin passages extending adjacent said locking means, said first coin passage being adapted to receive said first-mentioned predetermined coin array therein and said second coin passage being adapted to receive a second predetermined coin array therein, and wherein said coin-engaging means extends into both of said first and said second coin passages and is engageable with either of said first and second coin arrays to effect the release of said locking means.

3. A vending-machine control mechanism as in claim 2, wherein said coin-engaging means includes a pusher finger extending into said first and second coin passages, and an extension member carried by said finger Within one of said passages and extending longitudinally thereof for compensating for differences in length of said first and said second predetermined coin arrays.

4. A vending-machine control mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said pivotal member comprises a control plate mounted for pivotal movement about a first axis, and wherein said motion-amplifying means includes an auxiliary plate overlying said control plate and pivotally movable relative thereto about a second axis extending in spaced and generally parallel relationship to said first axis, one of said plates having an elongate slot therein, and a stud projecting from the other of said plates received by said slot for movement longitudinally thereof, said stud and said slot transmitting pivotal movement of said control plate about said first axis to said auxiliary plate and thereby producing pivotal movement of said auxiliary plate about said second axis, said coin-engaging means being carried :by said auxiliary plate and the arcuate path of travel thereof being about said second axis.

5. A vending-machine control mechanism as in claim 4, wherein said slot of said auxiliary plate extends generally radially relative to said second axis.

6. A vending-machine control mechanism as in claim 1, and further including a generally box-like frame having first and second coin passages extending therethrough in generally parallel relationship to each other and to an outer face of said frame, said first coin passage being adapted to receive said first-mentioned coin array, and said second coin passage being adapted to receive a second predetermined coin array, said outer face having an arcuate slot therethrough communicating with said coin passages within said frame, said pivotal member and said motion-amplifying means overlying said face of said frame and being pivotally movable in planes generally parallel thereto about axes projecting outwardly from said face in laterally spaced relationship to each other, said coinengaging means being carried by said motion-amplifying means and projecting inwardly therefrom through said slot and into said coin passages of said frame, whereby said coin-engaging means is movable about the pivot axis of said motion-amplifying means and is engageable with either of said first and second coin arrays to effect the release of said locking means.

7. A vending-machine control mechanism as in claim 6, wherein said frame has openings through the top and bottom thereof, said openings communicating with and respectively defining coin-entrances and coin-exits for said coin passages within said frame, and wherein said coinengaging means is movable along said path of travel thereof from a position adjacent said entrance openings and to a position adjacent said exits openings of said coin passages.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,783,917 3/1957 Andrews et al. 221-152 2,253,807 8/1941 Persons 194-63 X 2,847,103 8/1958 Lux 194--61 STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner. 

